Presented by Student Leadership University
Youth Pastor Summit National
YPS National Conference
November 2-4, 2026
in Orlando, FL:
At YPS National, leaders from around the world and across the country, representing 30+ denominations and movements, come together to experience:
A community (it’s really a family reunion) that is the largest annual gathering of student ministry leaders
A place of learning that is the most robust intersection of next generation thought leaders drawing from over 500 years of student ministry experience
A moment of understanding where every attendee will receive a report on the state of student ministry that includes generational specific research, applied theology solutions, and timely resources
Register your teamArtists & Speakers
Jennie Allen
Bible Teacher, Author, Visionary of IF:Gathering
Dr. Megan Fate Erickson
Author & Speaker
Dr. Brent Crowe
President of SLU
David Nasser
Pastor, Author, Speaker
Brett Younker
Worship Leader and Songwriter at Passion City Church
Mark Batterson
Lead Pastor of National Community Church
Stephen Bargatze
Magician
Dustin Nickerson
Comedian
Dr. Jeff Wallace
Chief Strategic Officer of SLU
Dr. Sean McDowell
Author, Professor & Worldview Expert
Dr. Ryan McDermott
Teaching Pastor and the Senior Executive Director of Family Ministry at Christ Fellowship Church
Kate Downing
Student Director at BattleCreek Church
Youth Pastor Summit is a conference that brings together student pastors, educators, and volunteers into one room to foster collaboration, community, and soul-care. It is a direct response to the growing need for people to pour into this generation.
As Student Leadership University trains up the next generation, we increasingly recognize the exponential impact that the leaders have on these students. YPS gathers thousands of leaders from across their regions of the country from 30+ denominations and movements. Every YPS includes mainstage sessions and leadership labs that each address 4 foundational and ever-present questions:
YPS LOCATIONS:
2026 Dates:
YPS National Conference (Orlando)
2027 Dates:
Southern California
Dallas, TX
Nashville, TN
Raleigh, NC
Youth Pastor Summit
At YPS, we are intentional about cultivating a leadership environment marked by collaboration, community, and soul-care. We bring together some of the world’s leading student ministry minds, communicators, and practitioners to address four foundational and ever-present questions:
- Spiritual Formation: Who are we becoming?
- God’s Mission: What story is God telling?
- Ethics: How should we think?
- Leadership: Why and how do we influence?
Bring your entire team and connect with youth leaders and educators from your region. Experience location-specific breakout sessions covering timely topics such as AI in ministry, engaging Gen Alpha, mental health, and more, each designed to equip your team with practical, relevant tools for today's youth culture.
Register for one of our four spring events in SoCal, Dallas, Nashville, and Raleigh, as well as the YPS National Conference in Orlando this fall.
Learn more about what to expect at YPS - watch this video!
Youth Pastor Summit is presented by Student Leadership University
Youth Pastor Summit is a division of Student Leadership University, Collectively, these programs are designed to help Christians deepen their faith and equip them to impact the world.
Student Leadership University is all about providing opportunities for young believers to develop into capable, confident leaders that will change the world. Through impactful events, dynamic speakers and experiential learning opportunities, we teach the next generation to Think, Dream, and Lead.
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